US: US expresses concern about increase of violence in CAR

Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The United States has expressed deep concern about a recent increase in violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) and urged all players to work together for peace.

"We underscore the fundamental need for all actors to work together to promote peace and prosperity in a country that has suffered for far too long from instability and conflict," John Kirby, Assistant Secretary and Department of State Spokesperson, said in a statement issued in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.

The US said it supported the efforts of the Government of the Central African Republic and the international community to restore order and protect civilians.

"In addition, we strongly condemn the targeted attacks against humanitarian actors whose sole purpose in the Central African Republic is to provide lifesaving support to the population.

"The United States remains a committed partner to the Government of the Central African Republic, the UN mission MINUSCA, and most importantly, the Central African people in efforts to bring the country out of these cycles of conflict," the US said.

On Monday, the interim UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic (CAR), Dr. Michel Yaa, condemned an armed attack on a convoy of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), a medical charity, transporting medicines and fuel from the capital, Bangui, to the south-eastern city of Bangassou on 17 June.

The UN said that the head of the convoy was killed.

Dr. Yao noted the highly precarious nature of relief work in the country and said that the humanitarian workers provided life-saving assistance to alleviate the suffering of people affected by the crisis.

He also stated that, such events hindered aid delivery to those in urgent need, and proved the crucial need to ensure the protection of civilians and to respect and protect humanitarian workers in compliance with International Humanitarian Law. He recalled that, on 18 May, a driver employed by MSF was killed in another attack near Bossangoa, located in the north-west of the country.
-0- PANA MA 22June2016